Caron Butler still on a day-to-day status for Dallas Mavericks
When the Dallas Mavericks host the undefeated New Orleans Hornets on Monday 15 November at the American Airlines Center,
Caron Butler will not suit up for the third-straight game due to back spasms.
Butler, who is averaging 14.7 points and five rebounds in six games this season, practiced with the team on Sunday 14 November, but he is still listed on a day-to-day status in the first game of a home-and-home
series against the Hornets.
“I practiced a little bit on Sunday and did pretty much everything,” said Butler, who was acquired by Dallas from the Charlotte Bobcats before the trade deadline last season. “And I just went through a light
shoot-around, so we’ll see how it feels.”
Although he is not discounting the possibility of playing against the Hornets, the 30-year-old forward said that he would make sure that he is fully-healed before playing again to avoid another setback that
could sideline him again for a longer period of time.
“It’s a little tightness still,” Butler said. “And I want to be 100 percent before I step out there so we don’t have the same problem again. It is no rush, but obviously, you want to be out there competing,
particularly in a game like this. With an undefeated team coming into your house, you want to be out there.”
With or without Butler, who is also known for being a tough defender, the Mavericks will try to halt the unbeaten streak of the Hornets and they are planning to do it by stepping up on the defensive end of
the floor.
Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle added that in their eight wins this season, at least five players scored in double-figures in each game.
““They’re doing it by playing hard, efficient basketball,” said Carlisle on the recent success of the Hornets. “They are a low-turnover team. [Chris] Paul is playing great. They are playing hard. They are
doing the right things. Their system is very sound and solid. So, look, they’re hard to score on, they’re hard to stop.”
After tonight’s game, the Mavericks and the Hornets will face each other again on Wednesday 17 November at the New Orleans Arena.
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